CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team fell in a pair of heartbreakers 4-2 and 5-4 Friday, May 6 at the UMN Crookston Baseball Field to the University of Mary. The Golden Eagles had stand-out pitching performances from both Jake Dykhoff (R-Jr., RHP, Wadena, Minn.) and Alex Koep (So., LHP, Parkers Prairie, Minn.) but fell short in the doubleheader.

The Golden Eagles came in needing to sweep UMary in order to make the NSIC Tournament. They had two scenarios play out in their favor as both Northern State University and Wayne State College needed to lose at least one this weekend, which did happen. However, UMary clinched a berth in the NSIC Tournament with a win. The Marauders and the University of Minnesota Duluth secured the last two spots in the NSIC Tournament.

Minnesota Crookston fell to 17-27 (9-16 NSIC) with the losses. The Marauders improved to 24-24 (16-17 NSIC).

Game One
The Marauders scored three runs in the first inning on their way to a 4-2 victory over Minnesota Crookston. The Golden Eagles had a bases loaded opportunity in the bottom of the second, but they were unable to capitalize on the scoring chance.

UMary rode the arm of Austin Wagner, who pitched a complete game and allowed two runs, on four hits. Wagner struck out nine, and walked none.

Dykhoff had a quality start, pitching six innings. He allowed three runs, on seven hits. Dykhoff struck out eight, and walked just two. Isaac Roers (Fr., RHP, Stacy, Minn.) came on in relief, allowing one run in 0.2 innings on the hill. Jackson Schneider (R-Sr., RHP, Forest Lake, Minn.) tossed 0.1 innings, allowing no runs, on no hits.

UMN Crookston finished with four hits in the game. Jake Hjelle (R-So., 3B/OF, East Grand Forks, Minn.) went 1-of-3, with an RBI, and a run scored, including a home run. Paxton Nelson (Jr., OF, Spicer, Minn.) hit his first home run as a Golden Eagle, going 1-of-3, with an RBI, and a run scored. Ben Goelz (R-So., OF, Maple Lake, Minn.), and Mitch Goodwin (R-So., SS, Prior Lake, Minn.) also went 1-of-3.
The Marauders were guided by Noah Hill, who was 2-of-4, with three RBIs. Michael Polson finished 2-of-4, while James Martin was 2-of-3, with an RBI, and a run scored.

UMary jumped on the scoreboard in the first. Martin sent a double to left field, driving in Polson. The Marauders pushed the lead to 3-0 with a Hill single, scoring Martin, and Calvin James.

The Golden Eagles had a great scoring opportunity in the bottom of the second. Goelz opened up the opportunity with a single through the left side. Goodwin then reached on a bunt single. With two already on, Nelson reached on an error by the pitcher following a bunt, loading up the bases. Wagner stepped up, striking out the next two, and getting a clutch groundout to leave three stranded.
Minnesota Crookston pulled within 3-1 with a solo shot from Hjelle in the bottom of the sixth.

The Marauders picked up a security run in the top of the seventh when Hill singled to left field, scoring Derek Shoen and extending the lead to 4-1.

Minnesota Crookston looked to make up ground in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Nelson sent the ball over the left field fence, to cut the deficit to 4-2. However, Wagner secured the final two outs to pick up the victory.

Game Two
UMary picked up a 5-4 victory in the second game. Minnesota Crookston put up a rally in the bottom of the ninth, but they stranded the game-tying run on second as the Marauders came away with the win.
Mark Schommer picked up the win in relief for the Marauders. He went one scoreless inning, with two hits given up. Paxton Miller picked up his second save of the season, striking out one, and allowing one unearned run.

Koep had a strong start for UMN Crookston. He allowed three runs, on six hits over eight innings. Koep struck out nine, and walked one. Jakob Wiirre (Jr., RHP, Mims, Fla.) walked one, and allowed one run. Brody Sorenson (So., RHP, Grand Forks, N.D.) suffered the loss, allowing one run, on one hit in one inning.

Minnesota Crookston had eight hits in the game. Teddy Giefer (So., 1B, Courtland, Minn.) paced the Golden Eagles, going 2-of-4, with a run scored. Brad Morris (R-Sr., OF, Auckland, New Zealand) finished 1-of-4, with two RBIs. Goelz went 1-of-4, as did Ben Thoma (R-Sr., C/3B, Clearbrook, Minn.). Chad Musser (R-Sr., OF, Plymouth, Minn.) finished 1-of-4. Tyler Jochen (R-Sr., 2B/SS, San Jose, Calif.) was 1-of-4, with an RBI, and a run scored.

UMary was lifted by Kyle Jameson, who was 3-of-3, with three RBIs, and two runs scored, including two solo home runs.

The Marauders jumped on the scoreboard in the third with a Jameson home run to left field.

UMary pushed the advantage to 2-0 with Jameson's second home run in the sixth.

Jameson delivered again in the eighth, as he singled up the middle to plate Ethan Baptie.

Minnesota Crookston made a move in the eighth inning when Jochen doubled to left center, scoring Goodwin to cut the deficit to 3-1. Morris then came through with a single to center field, driving in Jochen, and Giefer to knot the score up 3-3.

UMary took the 5-3 lead when Martin pushed one over the left field fence, scoring herself, and Shoen.

Minnesota Crookston had one more effort in the bottom of the ninth. With two men on, Matt Nunn (Jr., C, Edina, Minn.) hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Musser. Nelson reached on an error earlier in the inning, and moved to second on a balk to give the Golden Eagles the game-tying run in scoring position. However, Miller picked up the final two outs to preserve the 5-4 win.

Friday was Senior Day. The Golden Eagles honored their nine seniors on Friday during the game. The nine seniors have meant a great deal to the program. The seniors honored were: Thoma, Musser, Jack Peppel (R-Sr., 1B, Olivia, Minn.), Jochen, Ben Bryant (R-Sr., 2B/SS, Fargo, N.D.), Eric Graham (Sr., OF, Casper, Wyo.), Phil Hindes (Sr., RHP, Tucson, Ariz.), Morris, and Sunny Resnick (Sr., C, Twin Valley, Minn.)

The Golden Eagles will conclude the 2022 season Saturday, May 7 with a nine inning game at 12 p.m. against UMary.